Garage door storage cabinet and cabinet assembly

ABSTRACT

A garage door storage cabinet attached to or integrated with a garage door. The storage cabinet includes an enclosure and a cover. The enclosure is mounted on a major surface of the door in non-interfering relation to the movement of the door between open and closed positions. The cover is mounted on the enclosure for movement between a closed position wherein items in the cabinet are retained therein during movement of the door and an open position wherein items may be placed in or removed from the cabinet.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a garage door storage cabinet and more particularly to a storage cabinet that is integrated with or attached to a garage door.

In general, the size of the typical house has become smaller as land has become more expensive. Houses thus have less room for storage, even as the tendency to acquire more possessions, for example, recreational and gardening equipment, has increased. A larger percentage of houses, even smaller ones, now have garages, and are typically used for storage of possessions as well as for parking one or more vehicles when not in use. Morever, many apartments, condominiums and townhouse developments now provide garages-many attached to and accessible from inside the dwelling, in order to provide security in transiting between house and vehicle. Given these trends towards smaller homes and a greater quantity and variety of possessions needing to be stored, there exists a need to utilize any available areas that may be adapted for service as a storage facility. One such area is the interior surface of the garage door, which is typically 7 feet or more in height and 8 or more wide, depending on the number of vehicles the garage will accommodate. This space is typically not used for any purpose other than as a means of permitting or denying access to the garage. This space is therefore, at present, wasted.

Accordingly, a garage door storage cabinet that utilizes the wasted space present on the interior surface of a garage door provides increased storage space without impairing the utility of the garage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a garage door storage cabinet that can be attached to existing garage doors.

It is another object of the invention to provide a garage door storage cabinet that is integrated with a garage door.

It is another object of the invention to provide a garage door storage cabinet that can be used with sectional garage doors.

It is another object of the invention to provide a garage door storage cabinet that can be used with one-piece garage doors.

It is another object of the invention to provide a garage door storage cabinet that can be opened when the garage door is in a vertical position or in a horizontal position or any position in-between.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a storage cabinet for being mounted on a door including an enclosure for being mounted on a major surface of the door in non-interfering relation to the movement of the door between open and closed positions, the enclosure having an opening therein; and a cover mounted on the enclosure for movement between a closed position wherein items are retained in the cabinet during movement of the door and an open position wherein items may be placed in or removed from the enclosure.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover includes a storage compartment for storing items.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage cabinet further includes a restraint for providing a positive stop and preventing the cover from rotating into the open position in relation to the enclosure further than any predetermined limit.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the restraint is selected from the group consisting of a rod, a bar, rope and wire strand.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the restraint comprises at least two segments connected by a pivot.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the enclosure is integrally-formed in the door.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover has angled, outwardly diverging top and bottom sides for preventing interference between two adjacent storage cabinets during opening and closing of the door.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a storage cabinet assembly for a garage door includes a plurality of cabinets for being mounted on an interior surface of the garage door in non-interfering relation to the movement of the garage door between open and closed positions, each of the cabinets comprising an enclosure having an opening therein; and each of the cabinets including a cover mounted on the enclosure for movement between a closed position wherein items are retained in the cabinet during movement of the garage door and an open position wherein items may be placed in or removed from the cabinet.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a storage cabinet in combination with a garage door, the storage cabinet includes an enclosure integrally-formed in an interior wall of the garage door in non-interfering relation to the movement of the garage door between open and closed positions; and a cover mounted on the enclosure for movement between a closed position wherein items are retained in the cabinet during movement of the garage door and an open position wherein items may be placed in or removed from the cabinet.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a storage container for being mounted on a door includes an enclosure for storing items, the enclosure adapted for being suspended from a major wall of the door in a non-interfering relation to the movement of the door between open and closed positions; a cover attached to the enclosure; and a mounting bracket for mounting the cabinet on the door.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover is a screw-type cover for screwing onto a top edge of the enclosure having mating screw-threads thereon for releasably securing the cover and enclosure together.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the mounting bracket includes a pivot for allowing the enclosure to be suspended in a vertical orientation without regard to the position of the door to which it is attached.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the invention proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sectional garage door with a plurality of attached garage door storage cabinets of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the sectional garage door of FIG. 1 and attached garage door storage cabinets;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a one-piece garage door with a plurality of attached garage door storage cabinets;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the garage door storage cabinet;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the garage door storage cabinet in an open position;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the garage door storage cabinet in an open position suspended from a horizontal garage door;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of a sectional garage door with a plurality of attached angled garage door storage cabinets according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the angled garage door storage cabinet;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of a sectional garage door with integrated garage door storage cabinets of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the integrated garage door storage cabinet of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the integrated garage door storage cabinet in an open position;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation of a sectional garage door with suspended garage door storage cabinets of a further embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 13 is a side view of the suspended garage door storage cabinet of FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

Referring now specifically to the drawings, a garage door storage cabinet assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and shown generally at reference numeral 10.

The cabinet assembly 10 is designed to be mounted to an inside surface of an existing sectional garage door 11, and can be made of any suitable material having a weight that can be safely supported by the garage door 11. The cabinet assembly 10 is comprised of multiple cabinets 10A-10D mounted on respective panels 11A-11D of the garage door 11. Alternatively, a single cabinet 10A can be attached to any suitable door for use as a single unit.

The cabinets 10A-10D are preferably rectangular and can be made in various sizes. The cabinets 10A-10D must be restricted in size and must be spaced apart a sufficient distance from each other to prevent interference between adjacent cabinets 10A and 10B, 10B and 10C, and 10C and 10D when the door 11 passes around a degree curve as the door 11 is raised to an open position or lowered to a closed position (see FIG. 2).

Referring to FIG. 3, the cabinet assembly 10 may alternatively be mounted to an inside surface of a one-piece, tilt-up garage door 20. The one-piece garage door 20 allows greater flexibility in the sizing and spacing of the cabinets 10A-10D since interference between the cabinets 10A-10D is no longer a concern. In addition, the one-piece garage door 20 allows the cabinets to be positioned in either a horizontal or vertical orientation.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the cabinet 10A, which is representative of cabinets 10A-10D, includes a storage enclosure 13 which defines an opening 15 that is provided with a storage cover 14. The cover 14 also preferably includes a storage compartment 16 for storing items in the cover 14. Thus items may be stored in either the enclosure 13 or the cover 14. The cover 14 is connected to the enclosure 13 by a pin 17, allowing the cover 14 to open and close. An elongate restraint 18, preferably formed of two rod segments 19 and 20 connected together by a pivot 21. The restraint 18 is connected to the enclosure 13 by a pin 22 and to the cover 14 by a pin 23. The restraint 18 may be made of plastic, metal, or any other suitable material. The restraint 18 may alternatively comprise a rope, wire strand or cable. The restraint 18 prevents the cover 14 from falling under its own weight or otherwise rotating past a predetermined limit, for example, a 90 degree angle with the enclosure 13 as illustrated in FIG. 5.

This configuration allows the cabinet assembly 10 to be used when the garage door 11 is in a vertical closed position or in a horizontal open position, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

As shown in FIG. 7, a cabinet assembly 30 according to another embodiment may have angled sides 31 and 32 to allow multiple cabinets 30A-30D to be spaced at closer intervals and prevent interference between adjacent cabinets 30A and 30B, 30B and 30C, and 30C and 30D when mounted to individual panels 11A′-11D′ of a sectional garage door 11′.

Referring to FIG. 8, the cabinet assembly 30 functions in the same manner as the cabinet assembly 10 described above in FIGS. 4-6. The cabinet 30 includes a storage enclosure 33 and a storage cover 34. The cover 34 includes a storage compartment 35 and is connected to the enclosure 33 by a pin 36. A restraint 37 is connected to the enclosure 33 by a pin 38 and to the cover 34 via a pin 39.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, in another embodiment of the invention, a garage door storage cabinet assembly 40 is integrated with a sectional garage door 41. The cabinet assembly 40 is recessed into the garage door 41, reducing the amount of intrusion by the cabinet 40 into the garage area. The cabinet 40 can be used with multiple cabinets 40A-40D recessed into individual panels 41A-41D or as a single unit. The cabinet 40 may also be integrated into a one-piece garage door or other suitable door.

The cabinet 40 operates in the same manner as the cabinet 10. The cabinet 40 includes a storage enclosure 42 and a storage cover 43. The enclosure 42 is formed at least in part by the recess in the garage door 41. The cover 43 has a storage compartment 45 for storing items in the cover 43. The cover 43 is connected to the enclosure 42 by a pin 44 to allow the cover 43 to rotate between open and closed positions. The cover 43 and enclosure 42 are also connected by an elongate restraint 46 comprising two rods 47 and 48 connected by a hinge 49. The restraint 46 is connected to the enclosure 42 by a pin 50 and to the cover 43 by a pin 51. The restraint 46 may be made of plastic, metal, or any other suitable material. The restraint 46 may alternatively comprise a rope, wire strand or cable.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, in a further embodiment of the invention, a garage door storage assembly 60 is suspended from a garage door 61. The container assembly 60 is comprised of a plurality of enclosures 62 and respective covers 63 suspended from mounting brackets 64 attached to the garage door 61. The mounting brackets 64 are formed from a pair of bars 66 and 67 connected for pivoting movement relative to each other by a hinge 68. The mounting brackets 64 are designed to allow the enclosure 62 to remain in a vertical position regardless of the position of the garage door 61.

The cover 63 is a screw-type cover for being screwed onto a top edge of the enclosure 62. The cover 63 and enclosure 62 may also be connected by a fastener, such as a clamp (not shown). The cover 63 is attached to the mounting bracket 64 to allow the enclosure 62 to be suspended from the mounting bracket 64. The cover 63 also allows the enclosure 62 to be removed from the garage door 61 without the use of tools by unscrewing the enclosure 62 from the cover 63.

An important feature of the cabinet assemblies 10 and 30 is the ability to remove a single cabinet 10A or 30A for utilization in another location. For example, on a trip to the beach, cabinet 10A could be removed from garage door 11 and placed in a pickup truck for storing beach paraphernalia. Upon return from the beach, cabinet 10A could be positioned back on the garage door 11.

The cabinet assemblies 10 and 30 could also be removed and replaced during different seasons. For example, an individual may have multiple sets of cabinet assemblies. The individual may have a cabinet assembly for the summer and another cabinet assembly for the winter. This would allow the individual to store winter gear, such as boots and salt, in the winter cabinet assembly and summer gear, such as lawn accessories, in the summer cabinet assembly without the need to remove and replace items in the cabinets.

In addition, the storage compartments 16, 35, and 45 may also contain webbing or sub-containers (not shown). The webbing and sub-containers could be used for separating and securing items in the storage compartments 16, 35, and 45.

A garage door storage cabinet is described above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from its scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation, the invention being identified in the claims. 

1. A storage cabinet for being mounted on a door, comprising: (a) an enclosure for being mounted on a major surface of the door in non-interfering relation to the movement of the door between open and closed positions, the enclosure having an opening therein; and (b) a cover mounted on the enclosure for movement between a closed position wherein items are retained in the cabinet during movement of the door and an open position wherein items may be placed in or removed from the enclosure.
 2. The storage cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the cover includes a storage compartment for storing items.
 3. The storage cabinet according to claim 1, and further comprising a restraint for providing a positive stop and preventing the cover from rotating into the open position in relation to the enclosure further than 90 degrees.
 4. The storage cabinet according to claim 3, wherein the restraint is selected from the group consisting of a rod, a bar, rope and wire strand.
 5. The storage cabinet according to claim 3, wherein the restraint comprises at least two segments connected by a pivot.
 6. The storage cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the enclosure is integrally-formed in the door.
 7. The storage cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the cover has angled, outwardly diverging top and bottom sides for preventing interference between two adjacent storage cabinets during opening and closing of the door.
 8. A storage cabinet assembly for a garage door, comprising: (a) a plurality of cabinets for being mounted on an interior surface of the garage door in non-interfering relation to the movement of the garage door between open and closed positions, each of the cabinets comprising an enclosure having an opening therein; and (b) each of the cabinets including a cover mounted on the enclosure for movement between a closed position wherein items are retained in the cabinet during movement of the garage door and an open position wherein items may be placed in or removed from the cabinet.
 9. A storage cabinet in combination with a garage door, the storage cabinet comprising: (a) an enclosure integrally-formed in an interior wall of the garage door in non-interfering relation to the movement of the garage door between open and closed positions; and (b) a cover mounted on the enclosure for movement between a closed position wherein items are retained in the cabinet during movement of the garage door and an open position wherein items may be placed in or removed from the cabinet.
 10. A storage container for being mounted on a door, comprising: (a) an enclosure for storing items, the enclosure adapted for being suspended from a major wall of the door in a non-interfering relation to the movement of the door between open and closed positions; (b) a cover attached to the enclosure; and (c) a mounting bracket for mounting the cabinet on the door.
 11. The storage container according to claim 10, wherein the cover is a screw-type cover for screwing onto a top edge of the enclosure having mating screw-threads thereon for releasably securing the cover and enclosure together.
 12. The storage container according to claim 11, wherein the mounting bracket includes a pivot for allowing the enclosure to be suspended in a vertical orientation without regard to the position of the door to which it is attached. 